Dima Kalekin, born in Ukraine, faced an unimaginable start to life. Diagnosed with hydrocephalus (water on the brain) at birth, his parents made the heart-wrenching decision to abandon him at the hospital. Dima was left behind, beginning his life in an orphanage for disabled children in Krematorsk, Ukraine.
Despite the grim prognosis and his struggles with basic tasks, Dima’s resilience shone through. Four years later, he faced a new crisis when war broke out in eastern Ukraine, forcing him and the other children in the orphanage to flee. After days without basic necessities, the children were rescued by a group of separatists and taken to Ukrainian authorities.
In the hospital, doctors were stunned by Dima’s condition, but a priest’s prayers for adoption led to a miraculous turn of events. A couple from Vermont, Ernest and Ruth Chaves, eager to adopt a child from the war-torn region, saw Dima and knew instantly he was their son.
Dima, now renamed Zebediah, was adopted into the Chaves family, where his life transformed. Within days of arriving in Vermont, he showed remarkable progress, learning to eat with a spoon and eventually starting to walk and talk. American doctors were amazed by his recovery, confirming that his brain damage had been minimal.
Today, Zebediah is thriving, speaking both Ukrainian and English, and continuing to develop with the love and support of his adoptive parents. His incredible journey from abandonment to a promising future is a testament to his strength and the power of second chances. What a bright future lies ahead for this inspiring young boy!
